Gemstone Buying Guide – Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald

Understanding Precious Gemstones

Gemstones have fascinated people for thousands of years. Their colour, rarity, and natural beauty have made them some of the most treasured materials used in jewellery. Among the most admired gemstones are the three classic precious stones: ruby, sapphire, and emerald.

These gemstones have long been associated with luxury, heritage, and exceptional craftsmanship. Each stone possesses unique qualities that influence its appearance, value, and desirability.

Understanding the characteristics of these gemstones can help you choose jewellery that reflects both your personal style and an appreciation for fine craftsmanship.

At Clarindon Jewellers, we specialise in carefully selected gemstone jewellery designed to showcase the beauty and individuality of each stone.

Ruby – The King of Gemstones

Ruby has long been considered one of the most valuable gemstones in the world. Known for its rich red colour, ruby has historically symbolised passion, power, and prosperity.

Rubies belong to the mineral family corundum, the same mineral that forms sapphires. The distinctive red colour of ruby is created by the presence of chromium within the crystal structure.

Ruby Colour

Colour is the most important factor when evaluating ruby quality. The most desirable rubies display a deep, vivid red colour often referred to as “pigeon blood red.”

Rubies may range from lighter red to deeper crimson tones. Stones that show strong colour saturation without appearing too dark are generally the most valuable.

Ruby Clarity

Like most gemstones, rubies often contain natural inclusions. These inclusions are considered part of the stone’s natural formation and can sometimes help gemmologists confirm authenticity.

High-quality rubies display good clarity with minimal visible inclusions while still maintaining strong colour.

Ruby Durability

Ruby is extremely durable, scoring 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it suitable for everyday jewellery such as rings.

Ruby jewellery is often used in:

  • Engagement rings

  • Statement rings

  • Pendants

  • Fine gemstone jewellery

Its durability and striking colour make ruby one of the most desirable gemstones in the world.

Sapphire – A Symbol of Wisdom and Elegance

Sapphire is another gemstone belonging to the corundum family. While many people associate sapphire with deep blue tones, this gemstone actually occurs in a wide variety of colours.

Blue sapphire remains the most recognised and sought-after variety.

Sapphire Colour

The most prized blue sapphires display a rich royal blue colour with strong saturation and even tone.

However, sapphires can also appear in other colours, including:

  • Pink

  • Yellow

  • Green

  • Purple

  • White

These variations are known as “fancy sapphires.”

Sapphire Clarity

Most sapphires contain natural inclusions, which are often visible under magnification. These inclusions can give insight into the gemstone’s natural origin.

High-quality sapphires typically display good transparency and even colour distribution.

Sapphire Durability

Like ruby, sapphire has a hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it extremely durable.

This durability makes sapphire an excellent choice for:

  • Engagement rings

  • Everyday jewellery

  • Luxury gemstone pieces

One of the most famous sapphire engagement rings in the world is the royal ring worn by Princess Diana and Catherine, Princess of Wales, which helped increase the popularity of sapphire engagement rings.

Emerald – The Gemstone of Royalty

Emerald is prized for its vibrant green colour and distinctive character. Throughout history, emeralds have been associated with royalty, elegance, and natural beauty.

Emerald belongs to the mineral family beryl, which also includes aquamarine.

Emerald Colour

The most important quality factor for emerald is its colour. High-quality emeralds display a vivid green tone with strong saturation.

Emerald colour can range from lighter green to deep forest green shades.

Emerald Clarity

Unlike diamonds, emeralds often contain visible inclusions known as “jardin,” a French term meaning garden.

These natural features are common in emeralds and are often accepted as part of the stone’s character.

Because emeralds tend to have more inclusions than other gemstones, stones with good transparency and balanced colour are particularly valuable.

Emerald Durability

Emeralds are slightly softer than ruby and sapphire, with a hardness rating of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale.

While still suitable for jewellery, emerald rings should be worn with a little more care than sapphire or ruby jewellery.

Emeralds are especially popular for:

  • Statement rings

  • Pendants

  • Earrings

  • Fine gemstone jewellery

Understanding Gemstone Quality

When selecting gemstone jewellery, several factors influence the overall quality and value of the stone.

These include:

Colour

Colour is often the most important factor for coloured gemstones. Stones with vibrant, evenly distributed colour are typically more desirable.

Clarity

Most gemstones contain natural inclusions. Stones with fewer visible inclusions generally appear clearer and more valuable.

Cut

The cut of a gemstone determines how well it reflects light and displays colour. A well-cut gemstone will maximise brilliance and visual appeal.

Carat Weight

Larger gemstones are rarer and often more valuable, particularly when combined with excellent colour and clarity.

Balancing these qualities helps create gemstones that combine beauty with lasting value.

Choosing the Right Gemstone Jewellery

Selecting gemstone jewellery often depends on personal style, occasion, and colour preference.

Ruby jewellery offers bold elegance and strong colour. Sapphire jewellery provides timeless sophistication and versatility. Emerald jewellery delivers striking natural beauty and distinctive character.

Many customers choose gemstone jewellery for:

  • Engagement rings

  • Anniversary gifts

  • Birthstone jewellery

  • Luxury statement pieces

Gemstones can also be combined with diamonds to create jewellery that balances colour with brilliance.

Precious Metals and Gemstone Settings

The metal used in gemstone jewellery can influence the overall appearance of the piece.

Popular metal choices include:

  • Platinum – strong and naturally white

  • White gold – bright and contemporary

  • Yellow gold – warm and traditional

  • Rose gold – romantic and distinctive

The choice of metal often depends on the colour of the gemstone and the desired jewellery style.

For example, yellow gold complements the rich tones of ruby and emerald, while white gold or platinum can enhance the brilliance of sapphire and diamond combinations.

Expert Guidance from Clarindon Jewellers

Choosing gemstone jewellery should be an enjoyable and informed experience.

At Clarindon Jewellers, our specialists guide customers through the characteristics that define high-quality gemstones, helping them select jewellery that reflects both personal taste and exceptional craftsmanship.

Our team can assist with:

  • Selecting ruby, sapphire, or emerald jewellery

  • Understanding gemstone quality

  • Choosing precious metal settings

  • Creating bespoke gemstone jewellery

Our goal is to ensure that every customer finds jewellery that captures the beauty and individuality of these remarkable gemstones.